Swish Ally Fund Makes History at Stonewall Community Foundation

After a decade of service engaging straight allies in the movement for LGBTQ equality, Swish is proud to announce the launch of the Swish Ally Fund at Stonewall Community Foundation. The Swish Ally Fund marks another historic first for Swish - as Stonewall's premier fund dedicated to ally partnership in the fight for equality.

"The Stonewall Community Foundation staff and Board are honored to partner with Swish as they shift their focus to grantmaking after more than 10 years of remarkable service to our community," said Jarrett Lucas, Executive Director of the Stonewall Community Foundation. "The fact is, allies bring important perspective and resources to the LGBTQ movement, and the Swish Ally Fund at Stonewall will create a unique space for that to happen. We at Stonewall look forward to continuing the Swish legacy as we seek out and fund organizations and projects that bravely celebrate LGBTQ lives - both our connection and our diversity."

Grantmaking will take place on an ongoing basis, ensuring a legacy of grassroots support directly to LGBTQ organizations in New York City and worldwide. Donations of $250 or more to the Swish Ally Fund before June 30 will be listed as founding donors.

"The progress made by the LGBTQ movement in the United States over the last 10 years has been both staggering and inspiring," said Swish Co-founder and President, Sue Sena. "However, we all know there is still more work to be done. By supporting communities through grants from the Swish Ally Fund, we can ensure that their work makes an impact - first locally, then globally - by engaging straight allies as their partners in this fight."

Swish's 7th annual Songs in the Key of Equality benefit concert, the Broadway community's love letter to the movement, will take place on Monday, May 19 at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC at 8p.m. All proceeds benefit the Swish Ally Fund. Good Morning America and ABC Correspondent, Sara Haines, will host the event, which features special guest Stephen Wallem of Nurse Jackie and other well known Broadway talent. Tickets and live streaming access are available at www.swishpride.org.

To make a contribution to the Swish Ally Fund or purchase tickets to Songs in the Key of Equality, visit www.swishpride.org.

For information about submitting a proposal for the Swish Ally Fund, email your name, title, and organization name to grants@stonewallfoundation.org, please include "Swish Ally Fund" in the subject line. The Swish Ally Fund will be established in the summer 2014.